Ask it: Home improvement question–hot tub

You have home improvement questions? We have home improvement answers that will help you get DIY done!

Question: We want to get a hot tub and I want to put it inside a gazebo in our yard. Do you know if the gazebo is built around the tub? How else would you get it in?

–David

Answer: We love outdoor living projects! To answer the immediate question, a tape measure is your best friend right now. You’ll have to decide which hot tub and gazebo combo you want; it looks like you’re leaning towards a pre-fab model, which I might talk you out of. Check the hot tub measurements and compare them to the opening in the gazebo to see if the round peg fits in the square hole.

There are some other things to consider too—like the 4,000-pounds a typical hot tub can weigh filled with water and people. A pre-fab gazebo won’t likely be built to carry that load. And if you simply place it all on blocks or above- ground concrete piers like I’ve seen many backyard gazebos set on, rest assured the gazebo will sink into your yard.

Now, back to the tape measure (what home improvement question isn’t going to call on a tape measure?) In addition to measuring if the hot tub will fit through the opening, I also recommend checking how much room there will be to move around the tub once the tub is placed. If there’s little or no room to walk or to put a chair and table, you might be bathing yourself into a corner.

So, to get the project you want, measure it up and build it strong with concrete piers set in the ground that can carry people and suds. Or, pour a concrete pad where you want your hot tub party then build the gazebo independent of the hot tub more like a pergola and get all the space and place you need. It might be easiest and best in the long run to go custom.